Only 46 per cent of Swazi men use male condoms

Sir,

 According to a recent report by the United Nations Population Fund representative Dr Hassan Mohtashami, only 46 per cent of Swazi men used male condoms, which automatically means 54 per cent do not use condoms and this was shocking news which might impede the fight against the uncompromising scourge. Besides that, male condoms came first, so, I expected a higher percentage, maybe between 80 and 90 per cent.

Then, what was the true picture on the usage of female condoms? Yes, it might have come very late, but it was also embarrassing that only 20 per cent of women have ever used these condoms meaning about 80 per cent have never used them. Why is this the case? Isn’t prevention better than cure? I wonder why women do not make use of such a device because it is meant to empower them.  I really don’t know!

However, I hope the newly launched campaigns by the stakeholders shall make a difference, and by the stakeholders, I mean partners such as UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, AHF, LUSWETI, PSI, AMICAALL and other non-governmental organisations and government! I am disappointed that some pastors have placed condoms in their churches this is wrong.

Condoms must be placed in public places such as beer bars or bus ranks for easier access since church structures are prone to being judgmental in this regard. I am still optimistic that we may reverse the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Swaziland.

 Peter Sibeko
LUYENGO

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